Eagles versus Chiefs: 5 Questions and answers with Arrowhead Addict

3. This is a good Chiefs team. How was it constructed? Free agency, some luck in the draft or a little of both?

Draft, draft and more draft. The team’s long-term performers were retained over the years after being drafted: Eric Berry, Derrick Johnson, Dustin Colquitt, Tamba Hali. Then when Andy Reid arrived, John Dorsey took over as GM and instantly became one of the single best talent evaluators in the business.

His drafts and ability to find value in street free agents was second-to-none. It’s incredible. This last draft was a true parting gift from Dorsey. Wait three years and you’ll see the Chiefs with a bright young quarterback, Kareem Hunt at running back, a beast of an edge rusher in Tanoh Kpassagnon and more from this draft.

That being said, because of the culture and consistent winning, the Chiefs have been able to strike gold in free agency by bringing in at least one key player every offseason. In 2013, it was cornerback Sean Smith. Since then, the same has happened with right tackle Mitchell Schwartz, wide receiver Jeremy Maclin. This year, it was defensive lineman Bennie Logan.

It’s never a huge haul, but it’s always one major piece to shore up a weakness. We’ve also never seen the Chiefs miss during Reid’s tenure when they go after a player. They never seem to miss out on signing him.